Tuesday, December 06, 2016

When you want to feel the punishment of a long distance runner and help other people at the same time, then I would suggest you sign up for a charity run. Toronto always has several runs going on throughout the year, some short and some that probably seem like they go on forever. You can check some of my favourite events to photograph with Walk a Mile In Her Shoes and Colour Me Rad events.

Monday, December 05, 2016

Capturing fugitives is on hold while Dog and Beth Chapman attend the North American International Motorcycle Show. The celebrity duo will make their first appearance in Toronto on Friday and Saturday, January 6-7 at the International Centre where they will sign autographs for fans of their reality shows 'Dog the Bounty Hunter' and 'Dog and Beth on the Hunt'. The SUPERSHOW lasts until Sunday, January 8. Photo at top provided.

"We are really excited to have celebrities like Dog and Beth come to the Motorcycle SUPERSHOW! Their involvement in the SUPERSHOW proves the size and momentum of the show. We continue to head in the right direction giving the motorcycle community everything the want in a motorcycle show. We're proud to welcome Dog and Beth, who have dedicated their lives to their cause, changing lives and making a difference around the globe. They'll be at the show Friday and Saturday to sign autographs, take pictures and meet their fans right here in Toronto.." Commented Richard Kehoe, President of NAIMS."

The first motorcycle show of the year brings a one-stop-shop for motorcycle enthusiasts with over 500 exhibitors and over 1,000 motorcycles. There will also be three stages with a full schedule of entertainment featuring bands, special guests, fashion shows and custom bike displays.

"A true shopping extravaganza, the Motorcycle SUPERSHOW hosts hundreds of exhibits. In addition to the unveiling of the new Motorcycles the Motorcycle SUPERSHOW has the largest display of Motorcycles, Non-current and Pre-owned Bikes, Aftermarket Parts and Accessories, Rider Apparel and Helmets, Performance Equipment, Trailers, Travel Destinations, Custom Bike Builders, and a full range of Leather Fashions. The Motorcycle SUPERSHOW offers the largest marketplace in North America for Everything in Motorcycling." You can take advantage of advance ticket sales and save $3.

Sunday, December 04, 2016

Held down by the congestion of rush hour, which seems to be 24/7 now, and those pesky traffic laws that keep the muscle cars from flexing, you can get your car mojo at several automobile shows in Toronto or watch the professionals take their cars to the extreme.

Toronto Motorama Custom Car and Motorsports Expo Fri to Sun, March 10-12 at the International Centre. The third annual show is the biggest of its kind in Canada and includes custom cars, hot rods, racing cars, tuners, vendors, discussion panels, celebrity guests and much more. “The quality of the cars the past two years has been incredible,” said show director Gary Challice. “The show’s reputation for featuring the best ‘killer’ cars is growing and we’re getting applications from all over from people who know that Motorama is THE place to show off their new vehicles. We already have several cars committed to appear in Hall 1. I know people are going to be impressed.”

Miss MegaSpeed contest

There is no separate MegaSpeed Car Custom Car and Truck Show anymore. I do miss the abundance of entertainment that they used to have such as a bikini contest and a best bottom contest.

Megaspeed Bikini contest

Honda Indy Toronto puts on a massive weekend event in Exhibition Place that spills out onto Lake Shore Boulevard West. Verizon IndyCar comes to town July 14-16 with Thunder Alley, Pinty's Beer Garden, Paddock and Garage, Honda Town and a twisty track that fills with vehicles so fast that every smart car in 100km whimpers in fear. In addition to the IndyCar race series the Mazda Road to Indy, NASCAR Pinty's Series, Porche GT3 Cup and the high jumping Stadium Super Trucks hitting those ramps hard.

Importfest, Canada's largest modified car show, is still being planned for 2017. It usually takes place in late July or August when the weather is hot and the show is even hotter. Cars and competitions take place with the help of some gorgeous models at "Canada's Biggest and Baddest."

Wheels on the Danforth takes place on the streets of Toronto in August with a date to be determined. The street festival features a large collection of antique, classic and tuner automobiles at the crossroads of the Danforth.

NASCAR Pinty's Series stock car races are Canada's only national racing series with about a dozen races starting from the Victoria Day Speedfest to the last race at Kawartha Speedway in September. Canada's premier racing series also headlines Saturday's card at the Honda Indy Toronto. Sixteen year old rookie Cayden Lapcevich finished the 2016 season as the youngest champion in Canadian auto racing history.

Canadian Tire Motorsports Park

If you want to watch some more racing you can travel to a number of tracks around Ontario, some just hundreds of minutes away from Toronto. For bang for your buck value, the journey to the tracks provide a day or weekend of excitement and entertainment that is hard to beat. Here are the tracks with the approximate distance and direction from Toronto City Hall.

For those that like racing but enjoy the two wheeled variety more, you can check out my motorcycle show post here or hit Canadian Tire Motorsports Park for the Canadian Superbike Doubleheader Weekend August 18-20, 2017. "Canada’s top motorcycle riders compete in a doubleheader points race for the national Mopar Canadian Superbike Championship. This is the premier stop of the season for the Superbikes, along with other national classes including Pro Sport Bike, Amateur Superbike, Amateur Sport Bike and the Ninja 300 Racing Series."

Never forget your ride. Winter is here and I know it is hard to believe but, one day the big, white north will be green, summer heat will warm our hearts and two wheels will once again hit the pavement. Motorcycle shows start early in the calendar, just slightly after the year's New Year's Eve hangover, so head over to the International Centre for the North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW January 6-8.

The 'big one by the airport' is selling advance tickets for $3 off regular prices and owners and builders will be preparing for the custom bike competitions. "This is a staple feature of the show, and we're thrilled to again host such an amazing competition. The coming 2017 Canada Cup Championship will bring truly talented motorcycle builders together over one weekend at the International Center, and will once again create an amazing display of unique Custom Motorcycles. We're ecstatic on what's to come, the displays that are entering the 2017 Canada Cup Championship in the Custom Bike Competition are going to thrill industry enthusiasts." Commented Mike Blakoe, Show Manager, NAIMS. In addition to the bikes, celebrities Dog the Bounty Hunter Dog and his wife Beth will attend the show Friday and Saturday to meet fans.

The famous motorcycle rally that takes over the entire Lake Erie town of Port Dover every Friday the 13th begins with an icycle edition on Friday, January 13, 2017. The second event will take place in a slightly warmer time on Friday, October 13, 2017.

Next up is the Motorcycle Show Toronto Feb 17-19 at the Enercare Centre in Exhibition Place with "the ultimate get-together for riders and future riders. See all the NEW 2017 motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and side-by-sides, all under one roof. Meet tons of experts, check out the latest gear and apparel, and get all-revved up for your next adventure! Whether you’re a hardcore rider or a recreational enthusiats, a curious fan or just tired of the cold winter weather, The Motorcycle Show has got you covered! Because PASSION DOESN'T STOP. Not for winter, not for anything!" Also on the schedule is the motorcycle stunt show featuring Latimer Stunts.

The Toronto Motorcycle Spring Show is on at the International Centre from March 25-26. Presented by Riders Plus Insurance the show delivers an incredible weekend of new and used bikes, motorcycle gear and accessories with attractions and exhibits that appeal to everyone from beginners to hardcore bikers.

Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV and Powersports Show October 20-22 at the International Centre. "Now before you go running to look for a comfortable couch to hibernate those winter months away, why not come to the Toronto International Snowmobile ATV & Powersports Show. We will make you fall in love with WINTER! Never been snowmobiling, dirt biking or ATVing, not to worry, we have loads of great tourism exhibitors happy to assist with where to go, what to do and how to have fun during these upcoming months. Heck, even if you only want to sit inside a beautiful chalet and watch the snowflakes gently fall (notice I did not say anything about blizzards)… back to the gently falling flakes, we can assist with that too. We have everything under one large 375,000 square foot roof of fabulous fall & winter fun."

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Happy New Year! Enjoy some cold refreshing Lake Ontario water during the annual Polar Bear Dip. Talk about starting out the year with a ferocious swim in the frigid waters at the foot of the city. Later that week, hopefully after you have warmed up, you can visit the bikes at the Motorcycle Supershow. You can keep up to date with 2017 Motorcycle events on my post here or check out Toronto Car Shows and Races 2017 on my post here.

Monday, November 28, 2016

General Public tickets for the 2017 @HondaIndy Toronto will be available at 10am along with the Champions Club offered at $50 for a limited time. The July 14-16 weekend event at Exhibition Place will feature several race series along with off track entertainment.

"To accelerate the experience, the Champions Club is being offered for $50 to new Two-Day Reserved Grandstand purchasers during a limited time. The exclusive benefits, previously offered only to renewal customers, include a souvenir credential with lanyard, complimentary Verizon IndyCar Series paddock pass (a $65 value), access to the pre-race grid walk, discounts on official event merchandise, the chance to win a two-seater INDYCAR ride on the historic track, and many other surprises, discounts and benefits which will be revealed leading up to the 2017 event."

“Honda Indy Toronto proudly draws race fans from around the globe making it a marquee event on Toronto's busy summer schedule. We’ll showcase a diverse schedule and double feature again with the NASCAR Pinty’s series on Saturday and Verizon IndyCar Series as the spotlight on Sunday,” said Jeff Atkinson, president of the Honda Indy Toronto. “The Champions Club program returns in 2017 for a limited time providing insider access to our avid race fans. It truly includes the ultimate package of experiences that simply can’t be bought for most sporting events.”

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Niagara Falls starts the holiday season with a concert, millions of lights and a great fireworks show. Two opening ceremonies were held on Saturday, November 19, 2016 in Queen Victoria Park at Murrary Street and Niagara Parkway with the Niagara Star Singers, the Zero Gravity Circus, a Laser Light Show and the firework finale. Winter Fireworks will continue Friday nights at 9:00pm from November 19 until January 27, 2017. A special Christmas program will see nightly fireworks form December 23 to December 30 at 9pm.

The free 34th annual kick-off of the Winter Festival shows started at 5:45pm and 7:00pm in Queen Victoria Park at Murray Street and Niagara Parkway. The fireworks were shot off in the Niagara Gorge starting at 6:40pm and 7:40pm.

Lights directed at the Canadian and American falls have been upgraded from xenon lights to new LED lighting technology which provides double the light. In addition the lights will be programmable from a smartphone and have more capabilities to allow for more colour combinations. The lights are more energy efficient and have less maintenance costs. The lights come on at dusk and requests can be made for specific colour combinations.

Illuminating the American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls

"The Ontario Power Generation Winter Festival of Lights turns Niagara Falls into an annual Winter Wonderland, with more than three million sparkling lights along a five-plus kilometre route. The Festival showcases grand holiday displays throughout the city and provides unique Niagara Falls events. The Ontario Power Generation Winter Festival of Lights is the most enchanting of Niagara attractions and has become a family tradition for more than one million people from around the globe on winter getaways. The Festivals illumination route travels along the Niagara Parkway, past the roaring Niagara Falls, into Dufferin Islands and into surrounding tourist districts including Fallsview Boulevard, Victoria Centre, Clifton Hill and Lundy’s Lane. For more information please visit www.WFOL.com."

Doors Open

Scarborough Bluffs

Pride

Redball

Beaches

Graffiti

Lake Ontario

Nathan Phillips Square

Transportation

About Me

Covering the adventure and excitement of life, sports, entertainment and more in Canada's largest city - with over 41 million content views and over 1.7 million YouTube views ... Join me as I explore the streets and venues that are found in our beautiful metropolitan community.